The Take Another Take: Will Vladimir Putin go nuclear?
9 snips
Nov 1, 2025 
Alex Gatopoulos, Al Jazeera's Defence Editor, and Gerhard Mangott, Professor of International Relations, delve into the nuclear tensions surrounding Putin’s rhetoric. They break down the types of nuclear weapons and discuss potential scenarios for their use, including battlefield strikes in Ukraine. They explore the implications of nuclear engagement and how it could escalate rapidly. Mangott warns that while immediate nuclear use seems unlikely, a catastrophic military defeat could change that calculus, underscoring the high stakes in global security.
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Tactical Nukes Are Extremely Dangerous
- Tactical nukes are smaller but still catastrophic, with yields up to ~50 kilotons and long-lasting radiation effects.
- Alex Gatopoulos warns even limited use risks escalation to strategic exchanges with global consequences.
Long-Term Global Consequences
- Nuclear detonations cause immediate blast and long-term fallout that can render areas uninhabitable for decades.
- Alex Gatopoulos notes even a "minor" nuclear exchange could trigger global crop failures and famine.
Nukes As Political Tools
- Putin could use a tactical nuke to halt routs or signal power without aiming to "win" the war by nukes.
- Alex Gatopoulos argues nuclear use is for preservation and deterrence, not battlefield victory.